The Gastrointestinal Infections in Korean Patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

Choi, Hee Jung; Park, Sang Won; Kim, Hong Bin; Kim, Nam Joong; Shin, Dong Hyeon; Oh, Myoung Don; Jung, Hyun Chae; Song, In Sung; Choe, Kang Won

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To assess the type and frequency of gastrointestinal (GI) tract infections in hu man immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients in Korea, we reviewed opportunistic infections in HIV-infected patients.
METHODS
Medical records of the 115 HIV-infected patients were reviewed The patients were treated from January, 1987 through July, 1996.
RESULTS
Of 115 HIV-infected patients, the GI tract infection developed in 40 cases of 24 patients (20.9%). The most common G infection was candidiasis which developed in 22 cases of 13 patients (11.3%). Viral infection developed in 10 patients (8.7%). It included cytomegalovirus infections in 3 patients (2.6%) and herpes simplex virus infections in 4 patients (3.5%). Protozoal infection developed in 6 patients (5.2%), including crytosporidiosis in 2 patients (1.7%), Isospora infections in 2 patients (1.7%) and amebiasis in 2 patients (1.7%). The median CD4+ counts (/mm3) at the time of the diagnosis of G infection were 19 in candidiasis, 100 in herpes simplex virus infection, 0 in cytomegalovirus infection, 20 in Cryptosporidium infection and 10 in Isospora infection.
CONCLUSIONS
Candidiasis and herpes virus infection were common GI tract infections in HIV-infected patients of Korea.